“High-level lying … remains the modus operandi of U.S. policy,” Hersh wrote of the Obama administration’s counter-terrorism policies, “along with secret prisons, drone attacks, Special Forces night raids, bypassing the chain of command, and cutting out those who might say no.”

“Obama’s speech was put together in a rush,” Hersh wrote. “This series of self-serving and inaccurate statements would create chaos in the weeks following.”

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was the most outspoken of those who insisted the agreement with Pakistan be honored, and was distressed by Obama’s decision to speak without clearing his remarks in advance.